So, how does one even become a "Brewer"? The author documents one person's path into the craft brewing industry, beginning in the late 90's, tasting and reading about every bottle, can and draft pour that looked interesting. Homebrewing constantly and getting a diploma from brewing school. Learning the ropes in breweries, slinging kegs and malt bags around for endless hours, battling non-competes, union busting and pesky recipe and process issues with off-the-rails coworkers. What it was like being head brewer of the revered Mystic Brewery, and the inside story behind its sudden demise. The tension between full immersion in beer and keeping the demands of the work (not to mention alcohol itself) from dominating one’s life. The glorious, meditative feeling of measuring gravities first thing in the morning. Both a love letter to beer and a cautionary tale: Craft Brewing May Not Be for You!